Hundreds Turn Out for Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – It’s estimated the average American will eat nearly 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. That’s more than double the normal amount of calories per day.

The American Council on Exercise says a 160-pound person would have to run for six hours or walk 45 miles to burn that off.

Thursday morning, about 1,500 people took that to heart, turning out at UAHuntsville for the Turkey Trot 5K.

WHNT NEWS 19 crews found all kinds of turkeys out there, burning up calories before throwing down a feast.

It was a sunny and chilly morning. And there was a whole lot of gobbling going on outside of Spragins Hall.

That’s where families of humans-dressed-as-turkeys gathered for the 19th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run. Runners from 27 states and nearly 100 cities showed up to burn some calories they suspect they’ll pack on enjoying Thanksgiving Day meals.

Out of the flock of about 1,500 runners, some might have thought the real turkey of the morning was the guy who looked like a fruit, amidst all those feathers—get it? He was wearing a banana suit!

“I’m a banana,” he said. “I thought it was funny,” he added explaining his costume. He said he and his friends wanted to dress up like the food of the feast.

“That’s my brother over there, pizza,” he added with a laugh.

A woman dressed up in a chicken costume used the occasion to crow a little about health.

“We should eat more turkey and not chicken,” she said.

All the fun benefits a serious cause — raising money for the Crisis Services of North Alabama, which caters to families and individuals in four counties caught in emotional and physical crises.

Perhaps that’s why it’s important the Turkey Trot is all about feeling good and having fun.

“I like to have fun with it,” said the girl in the chicken costume. “I know I’m not a good runner, so I do it for the fun.”

“She dragged me here!” said another runner wearing a turkey hat, explaining how she came to participate in the run.

At 8 a.m. sharp, organizers sounded a horn and off they went, following a big turkey.

The woman in the costume said she loves the bonuses that come along with being Top Turkey.

“Lots of pictures, lots of pictures and scaring little kids,” she said, standing next to her friend wearing a chef’s hat.

And like many others participating, the two say the fun of the run keeps them coming back for seconds, year after year.